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Caption

Gold. Pile of refined gold ore seen with gold nuggets and gold rings (lower right). Gold has an atomic number of 79 and a relative atomic mass of 196.97. It is most commonly found naturally as a free metal called native gold. Gold once formed the basis of monetary systems. It is used as jewellery, due to its rarity, attractive appear- ance and lack of tarnishing. This ore is from the republic of Sakha, north-eastern Siberia, Russia.